An Irish nurse has been told to get help for her "sexual aggression" as she was jailed for raping a mother of two in a Brisbane pub toilet.
Anne Marie O'Loughlin, 25, sobbed as Judge David Reid sentenced her two and half years' jail, with a recommendation she be released on parole on March 3, 2012.
The date - O'Loughlin's 26th birthday - will mean she spends a total of 18 months behind bars including time already served.
Dublin-born O'Loughlin, who came to Brisbane in 2008 and worked as a nurse at the Mater Hospital, was convicted after her trial in the Brisbane District Court last October.
The jury heard she had kissed a 32-year-old woman in a toilet cubicle at the Caxton Hotel in Petrie Terrace in November 2009.
When the woman tried to get away, O'Loughlin locked the cubicle door, slammed the victim's head into a wall and digitally raped her.
The assult only ended when the victim's cry for help was heard by a woman in a neighbouring cubicle.
O'Loughlin tried to leave the club but was stopped when the victim's husband, after learning his wife had been assaulted, stood in front of a taxi O'Loughlin was a passenger in.
O'Loughlin told police she had no memory of the incident but admitted she got "loopy" when she drank wine with other alcohol.
She said she had been drinking wine, spirits and had had up to four shots at the bar that night.
Following a five-day trial she was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of deprivation of liberty.
She was found not guilty of a charge of sexual assault.
O'Loughlin's sentencing was adjourned until today to allow lawyers to prepare submissions and her counsel to obtain references.
One reference, said to speak of her good character, was written by Irish politician Charlie Flanagan, a friend of O'Loughlin's family.
Several people - including a nun - attended court today in support of O'Loughlin, who has been in custody since her October conviction.
Many cried after the young woman was led back to the cells at the end of the hearing.
In court, prosecutor Chris Minnery called for O'Loughlin to be sentenced to three years with release on parole after she served 18 months.
Defence barrister Damian Walsh said nine months behind bars was appropriate, saying his client's offence was "completely out of character".
Judge Reid said the incident was another unfortunate example of the effects of excessive drinking among youth.
"It is particularly distressing ... a security officer at the Caxton described you as unduly intoxicated ... you were finding it hard to stay on your feet and almost fell down some stairs," he said.
He said evidence O'Loughlin had overpowered her victim suggested "persistent sexual aggression".
"I hope you will use your time in prison to address issues you have with the consumption of alcohol and sexual agression," he said.
"This is a tragic event for all concerned."
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